July 2019 Newsletter

Introducing Myself!

From the ED's Desk

Dear Reader,

As Rose takes on her new, exciting opportunities, I warmly thank her for the smooth transition she created for me. Being in Rose’s company and working alongside her throughout the month of July has been an extraordinary gift. Her history, insight, humor and professionalism are all equally remarkable and enviable. I sit here with her and know I, and our team, look forward to seeing her at the upcoming Dipsea Hike on September 28, and beyond. This Dipsea Hike will be a first for Rose; she has never had the opportunity to just enjoy the hike, rather than making sure the event went smoothly. And it will be wonderful to see her leading the charge up the hill in her dusty hiking boots. As she passes that baton on to me, I’m glad she won’t go far!

I have the incredible good fortune of inheriting a wonderful team with brilliant minds, as well as a healthy, well-loved organization. Our plans are ambitious, but they are achievable. There is so much work to do toward our mission. We have tremendous momentum and resources, but we can’t reach our goals without your continued support!

While deepening my connection to the ZBC community, I look forward to getting to know you all better in the months and years to come. Meanwhile, enjoy August and expect to hear more from me and ZBC in the near future!

Sincerely,

Genevieve Gandal

Executive Director

PS.ZBC is growing its number of monthly donors significantly and you can become one too! If you read these monthly newsletter regularly then please consider a monthly gift of $25 or $50 (any amount helps) to help sustain the work of translating, disseminating and communicating evidence-based information about breast cancer risk reduction. Its quick and easy and you can now pay by PayPal too. Just click on this secure link and get started. Thank you!

17TH ANNUAL DIPSEA HIKE - JOIN US!

There are only 8 weeks left to register for the 2019 Dipsea Hike! The staff, donors and volunteers are actively working to create an exciting, challenging and truly memorable experience in Mill Valley’s Old Mill Park. Every year, our most eagerly awaited event attracts people who support our efforts to communicate the importance of fitness, nutrition, friendship and wellbeing in our daily lives.

If you’re not able to attend, or can attend but not hike, we offer you the opportunity to donate in honor of a survivor.

We provide a healthy breakfast to get your hike started and a delicious catered lunch at the end, along with snacks and drinks along the trail. Plenty of swag from our sponsors will be in your reusable ZBC shopping bag you get at the hike! You’ll love the camaraderie and collective effort to join us as we strive for a world with zero breast cancer!!!

In addition to this announcement, the Spanish-language blog introducing the new eguide includes a translation of the previously-published blog article Why We Focus on Girls' Health Before and During Puberty which you can read here.

SPOTLIGHT ON : Anne-Marie Hartwig, long time partner to ZBC providing bookkeeping support, Dipsea Hike Event Co-ordination and much more!

When we talk about “partners” here at Zero Breast Cancer, there are so many who lend their support and service in different ways. We simply could not function without them! Now, in the 31 days since I started here, the partner I have looked to for support, insight and sincere partnership has been Anne-Marie Hartwig. Anne comes to the office a few days a week to support our bookkeeping and operations efforts, as well as be the point person for all things related to the Dipsea Hike. Her dedication to ZBC has been unwavering. And I am so grateful to see her serene and knowing expression whenever I have a question or need for context. Anne is a beloved partner to our staff as well as the entire community, but I imagine not everyone knows about the interesting and adventurous path she took to get here! You can read her full interview here.

NEW: Book Review # 21

To date Zero Breast Cancer has reviewed three children’s books written by breast cancer survivors to capture the insights they developed as they ‘winged’ it through their diagnosis and treatment whilst still having young children at home. This review will look at three more that came to our attention recently. There is a Chicago based non- profit organization called Bright Pink Support which focuses on breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment. It has a lively member’s only Facebook page where mostly younger women, many of whom have inherited genetic mutations placing them at greater risk for breast and ovarian cancer, provide support and resources for each other. One particular discussion concerned explaining surgery - whether prophylactic (preventative) or as part of treating already diagnosed cancer - to younger children. It was this discussion that was the inspiration for this review